Thursday, June 21, 2012

Blearly

Well, to cheer us all up, here's another picture of Grandson wearing his stripey trousers and his customary big smile. How I love him!

I hope to see him tomorrow, as an antidote to visiting my poor Mum. She is now pretty frequently incontinent, which is horrid for her, though somehow she's managing to rise above it to some extent by ignoring this fact. Twice a day, I bring home from the hospital a polythene bag with very horrible washing in it. They're now talking about her leaving hospital. They clearly think that we won't be able to cope at home and I'm not sure that they're wrong. Mum now can't really walk by herself; indeed she fell the other day and bashed her head and her hand. But she doesn't want to go into residential care and I'm sure she'd be happier back here. They say they'll put "a package of care" in place for her, with people coming in during the day to help her wash and so on. However, she gets up during the night to go to the loo - not always successfully - so ... . Hmm.

She said to me tonight, "It's funny to think that this is me - really old. You tend to think of old age as being something in the future. But it seems to be now."

Ah well. On a more cheerful note: the exam marking didn't throw up anything hilarious this year, but there were one or two minor gems. For example, you may be interested to know that "sportsmen are at the top of the food chair". And that "the weather is sometimes dull and blearly". Or that "curling is an insignificant sport on the backbone of Britain".

There were some other fetching words, such as "bemazement", "rehitorical" and "opitomy" (which I think was really "epitome").

Today, Midsummer's Day, has been very dull and blearly here in Edinburgh. Sorry, tourists.

And by the way: hello, Martha, who left a comment that she's just read through my blog from the beginning - 874 posts! How bemazing. I'm so sorry to have written so much, Martha, but thank you so much for your interest! You don't seem to have a blog, otherwise I would visit it and find out more about you too. I must try to do something more remarkable to justify your marathon effort.

Sympathies from us - we know all about the problems of getting up in the night etc. Glad you have such a cheery little chap to help you through. I like bemazing it seems to convey a whole host of meanings!

I wish I could help some way. I've been through this situation and tough decisions twice, with my mother and with my husband. What a blessing that you have this sunshine in your house, your beautiful grandson, to put a song in your heart. And that you have students who can make you laugh, orat least, smile.

Life can be so tiring sometimes. Lucky you have a Small Person around to cheer you up when the going gets tough. It seems like your mother moved from her own home just in time; if she'd still been there and alone when she had that fall...well, one hates to imagine. In my former job, I was an in-home carer for several very old (as in nearly 100) people who were living with their elderly daughters (as in their 70's). I was amazed that they didn't commit their mother to high care facilities, but I also greatly admired them for being there for their parent until the end.

What a joy your grandson must be. I thought your mother's comment about old age was so interesting. I can remember my Mom telling me that inside, pointing to her head, she was as young as she ever was, but that outside she wasn't and that got her in trouble because she thought she could still do everything she ever did, but when she tried her body punished her.For all the difficulties, enjoy this time with your mother, I so wish I still had mine, but she she's been gone almost 20 years and I miss her still

It is a hard time for all of you as your mother's condition deteriorates.I hope the hospital is doing all it can to minimise the problems of incontinence and is providing disposable underwear which does not have to be washed. I went through this with Dr P and found the nursing services very useful, and it kicked in before the problem became acute. These problems are distressing for your mother and of course for you.

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About Me

I'm a retired English teacher and live with my retired accountant husband in Edinburgh. We are cat people - sadly, now without cats. I enjoy reading, gardening, singing, walking and – obviously – blogging. I'm also trying, as a retirement project, to learn to play the piano; and have dipped my toe into the world of quilting. Our children, all married, are: Daughter 1, who lives in Edinburgh and is the mother of the adorable Grandson and Granddaughter; Daughter 2, who lives (too far away) in London; and Son, who lives about an hour to the north.
Because both of my parents have sadly died in the last few years, I am very conscious that time is passing and would prefer not to fritter my time away. I don't always succeed in this aim, especially while on the internet... .